News Blog

Welcome to the Southern Sierran, published by the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club, serving Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

Want to learn about an environmental issue?  Select an issue from the below list and start learning.

News Archive
Black Lives Matter
From Outrage to Justice
June 8, 2020 By Michael Brune

Statement from Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune on the ways in which environmentalists need to show up in this moment.
Mt Lowe Peak
Communications Coordinator Jonathan Howard
May 29, 2020 By Morgan Goodwin

The Sierra Club Angeles Chapter welcomes Jonathan Howard as the new Communications Coordinator on staff at the chapter office. He starts June 8th and will be focusing on communications, marketing, and media relations to help increase the capacity of the chapter.
Morgan Goodwin and partner Daria
From the Director’s Desk for June

In this, the second edition of the Directors Desk update, I want to continue to share with you the most interesting bits of the job, give you a sense of what the Chapter is up to, and share a brief story about family and the mountains.
Mark Kresowik - induction stove
Cooking With Gas Hurts Your Wallet and Your Health
May 29, 2020 By Mark Kresowik

You’re paying too much to cook with gas. You’re paying with your family’s health. Your gas bills are going to go up. And in some parts of the country, the gas industry is even charging you the cost of distributing their propaganda. It is time to switch to cleaner, cheaper, healthier, safer, and superior induction cooking.
Wilderness Skills During the Pandemic
May 19, 2020 By Morgan Goodwin, Senior Director, Angeles Chapter

We turned to Facebook to see how our members were doing with coping with the pandemic, and the responses have been delightful.
Earth Day Forum on the Inglewood Oil Field
EARTH DAY: KEEPING IT IN THE GROUND
April 29, 2020 By David Haake & Barbara Hensleigh, Angeles Chapter

On the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, the Angeles Chapter’s Clean Break Committee and the Central Regional Group held a Facebook Live Forum about the Inglewood Oil Field with local elected leaders.
Delta overview map
Metropolitan Water District Raises Water Rates During COVID-19 Pandemic and Economic Downturn
April 27, 2020 By Charming Evelyn, Angeles Chapter Water Committee

Metropolitan Water District, the water wholesaler that serves 26 local water agencies in the Southern California region, voted for a two-year budget that will raise water rates during the biggest economic downturn in California since the Great Depression.
Morgan Goodwin Senior Director
From the Director’s Desk
April 27, 2020 By Morgan Goodwin, Senior Director, Angeles Chapter

This was my first month on the job for the Angeles Chapter and intense would be a big understatement for what it’s been like to step into this role during a pandemic.
Where do we go? Covid and Homelessness
No one’s safe until everyone is safe
April 27, 2020 By Suvan Geer, Angeles Chapter Environmental Justice Committee

In this new age of uncertainty, we must demand actions be taken NOW to ensure everyone, including our most vulnerable citizens, can be “Safer at Home.”
Earth Day Forum on the Inglewood Oil Field
Earth Day Live: LA’s Dirty Oil Discussion with Local Leaders
April 22, 2020 By David Haake & Barbara Hensleigh, Angeles Chapter

Watch our Earthday Live Forum with Sen. Holly Mitchel & Rep Sydney Kamlager-Dove to learn about neighborhood oil drilling in LA
Earth day is every day?
Earth Day Activities for Kids
April 17, 2020 By Sierra Club Media Team

We hope that you’ve been staying safe, and finding moments of joy and peace, even though it's hard right now. We also wanted to share opportunities for honoring the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and what would have been Take Your Kids to Work Day next week.

WTC header
Wilderness Travel Course Celebrating 30 years 1990-2020
April 6, 2020 By Jane Simpson, WTC Chair and unofficial WTC Historian

Wilderness Travel Course (WTC) leaders don’t think about counting years until we cross a milestone. 2020 is special because it marks WTC’s official 30th year of operation. Since 1990, we’ve trained thousands of Southern California wilderness travelers.
Keeping Our Kids Curious and Engaged at Home
March 27, 2020 By Sierra Club Climate Parents Team

With many schools across the nation closed and communities across the country being asked to shelter in place and/or practice social distancing, we've come up with some tools and resources we hope you find helpful.
Covid-19 - Offer a helping hand
COVID-19 IS HERE – HOW CAN YOU HELP?
March 27, 2020 By Sharon Koch

These are moments when our natural instinct is to reach out and offer help.  But how can we offer a helping hand while still being mindful of stay at home policies and social distancing?  Here are a few ideas to inspire you to add your suggestions. These are opportunities to reach out while using best practices to discourage the spread of COVID-19.
Schools Supporting Renewable Energy in Los Angeles
50 Years Ago - Earth Day 1970 at the Angeles Chapter
March 26, 2020 By Will McWhinney, Chapter Volunteer

The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, but the Angeles Chapter was working hard at preserving wild place for decades before.
Angeles Chapter Sierra Club Director Morgan Goodwin
Meet Our New Senior Chapter Director

We warmly welcome Morgan Goodwin, our new Angeles Chapter Senior Director
The coronavirus causes the respiratory disease COVID-19, which is spreading rapidly around the world
ANGELES CHAPTER GUIDANCE RE: COVID-19 OUTBREAK
March 14, 2020 By Photo by CDC on Unsplash

The Sierra Club has announced new proactive procedures to protect all volunteers and staff from the coronavirus
Celebrate Earth Day and Take the Train for Free
Take Metrolink and Change the World! CANCELLED
March 9, 2020 By Louise Fleming

Experience a better way to commute and try Metrolink. Ride the train for free for one day on April 22.
Nuestra Tierra CA Public Lands Celebration
"Nuestra Tierra" CA Public Lands Celebration - CANCELLED
February 29, 2020 By By Jenny Binstock, Sierra Club Senior Campaigns Representative - Lands, Water, Wildlife

Join us in celebrating the recent wins to protect our public lands and rivers with the passage of the Protecting America’s Wilderness Act in the House which protects such treasures as our San Gabriel Mountains, the Rim of the Valley, Central Coast and Northwest Forests.
LA County Fire Dept at Carson Refinery Explosion & Fire @LACoFDPIO
Carson Refinery Explosion Reignites Fears
February 28, 2020 By Will McWhinney

Another explosion and fire rages at Marathon refinery in South Bay, home to several large refineries and the worst air quality in the U.S.
Sierra Club Political Action
Sierra Club Endorsements for the March 3rd Primary
February 26, 2020 By Chapter Staff

We urge you to vote for candidates who share the view of the Sierra Club about protecting the environment
Sierra Club Election
National Sierra Club Elections are Underway - VOTE!
February 26, 2020 By Chapter Staff

Those members eligible to vote will receive ballots in early March - find Angeles Chapter candidate recommendations here
Bears Ears, NM National Monument Under Threat
Public Lands in Southern Utah Under Threat
February 25, 2020 By Jim Hines

US Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) introduced America's Redrock Wilderness Act to protect YOUR national public lands in Utah
Mountain Lions Forever!
Mountain Lions Forever!!
February 25, 2020 By Jim Hines

Sierra Club campaign to protect the largest wild cats in California.
Angeles Chapter Annual Awards Banquet
Angeles Chapter Annual Awards Banquet - RESCHEDULED!
Annual Awards Celebration Rescheduled:
When: SUNDAY, November 8, 2020
Where: FRIENDSHIP AUDITORIUM
Remembering John Yard, Crescenta Valley Regional Group
Remembering John Yard, Dedicated Sierra Club Volunteer & Activist
February 7, 2020 By Cathy Kissinger

A tribute to John Yard, conservationist and activist
Ballona Wetlands Restoration Threats
California Dept of Fish & Wildlife Ballona Betrayal of Public Trust
January 21, 2020 By Richard Harmel

What's the future of Ballona Wetlands?
Snow Safety
Enjoy, and Survive, Our Local Snow
January 21, 2020 By Will McWhinney

What you need to know to enjoy our snow!
Vote Primaries 2020
What to Know About Voting in the Presidential Primary March 3, 2020
January 21, 2020 By Sharon Koch

Big changes in casting our ballots
hiring
Angeles Chapter is currently hiring.
Louise
SoCal Spotlight: Louise Fleming
Dirty Fuels
Dirty Fuels Hike Campaign & Outing Collaboration with Angeles Chapter
December 20, 2019 By Shawnté Salabert
Athens
Update on Athens Workers
December 19, 2019 By Grecia Lopez - Reyes
Join Us
Angeles Chapter Volunteer Opportunities
December 10, 2019 By Jane MacFarlane
Glen Dawson: Mountaineer and Bookman by Elizabeth Pomeroy
Biography of Glen Dawson: Mountaineer and Bookman - Now available for purchase
Athens Workers
Justice for Athens Environmental Workers
December 11, 2019 By Madhu Velumani
Georges farewell
Farewell George Watland!
oil fields
Urban Oil Drilling in Los Angeles
November 25, 2019 By Monica Embrey
rachael glegg
Volunteer Spotlight: Rachel Glegg
November 22, 2019 By Krystal Ruiz
Clean Power Alliance
Clean Power Alliance Makes Progress on Local Programs and New Clean Energy Resources
November 21, 2019 By Luis Amezcua
California Summit
Sierra Club California Summit Recap
November 21, 2019 By Krystal Ruiz
Climate Parents
The Future is Not Granted - An Update on the Renewable Energy Resolution for LAUSD
November 21, 2019 By Sybil M. Azur
FSC
In the Know: Forest Stewardship Council Board
November 13, 2019 By Krystal Ruiz
Sierra Club California 2019 Legislative Report Card Overview
November 7, 2019 By Chris Hendrickson/Sharon Koch/John Monsen/Magda Mendez
Sierra Club California Honors Water Warrior Volunteers with Leadership Awards
greta
Greta Thunberg call to fight global warming cheers LA rally
November 4, 2019 By John Rogers
25 years desert
25 Years of The Desert Protection Act
October 29, 2019 By Jenny Brinstock
Mary Ferguson Award
Sierra Club California Honors Chapter Director George Watland With Award
October 28, 2019 By Sharon Koch
Net Zero Recap
NetZero Event Recap - What Happens in California Goes Global
Fire recovery
Fire Recovery: Nature Knows Best
October 24, 2019 By Susan Jelus

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[Header photo: One of four Mountain Lion Kittens P-66 through P-69 © Courtesy of National Park Service]